Thursday, January 5, 2012

Devotions in 2012

“No matter how busy you may think you are, you must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance” (Confucius).

No I am not one to normally quote philosophers. However, I read this quote this morning and it really convicted me in regard to my time with the Lord.

How often do I become too busy to spend a half hour with the giver of wisdom and willingly surrender myself to self-chosen ignorance?

Too often.

So this year, as a "resolution" I challenged myself to be in the word daily. My iphone has made this easier for me because I downloaded the Daily Audio Bible which reads portions of scripture out loud to me. There is a section for each day and if I listen to it faithfully, it will have read me the whole Bible by the end of the year!

Cheating? Maybe. But I love that I can be washing dishes and growing in Christ at the same time!

Today's New Testament passage was in Mathew 5:1-26.

Most everyone is familiar with these beatitudes, but there is one that gets me every time.

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled."

Can you honestly say that you are hungering for righteousness?

For me, this is a perfect analogy. When I am hungry, I find food one way or another. I don't wait until it is convenient, I make it happen.

How much more important it is for me to be making my time with the Lord happen. It is only in Him that true satisfaction and fulfillment is found.

I hope that you too are are challenged to hunger and thirst after righteousness and make time to spend with your Savior. I don't think you will ever regret it!

Psalm 5:12 For surely oh Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.

"Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."